Snow avalanche traps 5 soldiers in Kupwara, J&K

Five soldiers are reported to have been trapped in a snow avalanche that struck the post of 56 RR in Macchil sector of Kupwara district in North Kashmir on Saturday. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to save the five soldiers trapped in the snow avalanche. The state of Jammu & Kashmir has been experiencing one of its most severe winters in recent years, with temperatures dipping to minus 7 degree Celsius and heavy snowfall being recorded throughout the area.

15 soldiers are reported to have died in the State since Tuesday due to snow-related incidents. Earlier, on January 24, an army major was killed in a snow slide in Sonmarg, which is a tourism destination in Kashmir. On January 25, there were reports of two avalanches in Gurez, trapping several army personnel. Seven soldiers were rescued alive whereas the bodies of 14 remaining were recovered on Friday. Certain areas in Gurez and Sonmarg are said to be prone to avalanches.

Army officials have issued an avalanche warning for people and soldiers in the hilly areas of Kashmir valley for the next 24 hours. “The warning has been issued for avalanche-prone slopes of Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Budgam and Kargil district of Kashmir division,” a government official said.